ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Best Playing XI for India

As the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 approached, all the talk of the town in India was about who would make it to the squad. There were speculations all over and debates were plenty on the few open slots. Most of the slots were already taken and only a few were up for grabs. Let’s Find out the best playing XI for India cricket team in World cup 2019.

When the selectors announced the 15-man squad for the mega event, most of the names were expected. However, a couple of players would feel hard done. Ambati Rayudu, who was deemed to be the No.4 batsman, couldn’t find a place. Instead, Vijay Shankar sealed his berth.

Rishabh Pant was the other whose omission sparked a debate. The experienced Dinesh Karthik found a place as the backup keeper for MS Dhoni. Even though it’s a provisional squad and can be changed until May 23, yet it’s unlikely that there will be amendments to it. Now that the squad is clear it gives us an opportunity to look at what combinations would work best for team India.

Top Order

It goes without saying that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan form one of the most formidable opening pairs in the world. They compliment each other perfectly and understand each other’s game to the core. It happens quite often that one batsman goes on the charge and provides the other the opportunity to settle in.

Virat Kohli‘s presence at No.3 is paramount. The No.1 batsman in the world is best suited at that place. The skipper controls the game beautifully from that position. More often than not, he guides the whole innings. Team India has done well when the top 3 have fired. The chances for the Men in Blue in England and Wales would rest heavily on these 3 batsmen.

Middle Order

Now that Ambati Rayudu is longer India’s No.4, Vijay Shankar is the best bet at that place. He has the ability to stabilize the innings. Also, the right-hander has the big shots in his armor to up the ante when needed. What makes him an asset to the side is his bowling and acrobatic fielding.

MS Dhoni will be India’s key player in the tournament. He may not be the same player he was in the last World Cup yet he still has the ability to win games. The 37-year-old has shown great form in the Indian Premier League. India would love for him to carry that touch in the World Cup. His guidance to the spinners from behind the stumps and the valuable advice to Kohli have their worth in gold.

Lower Order/All-rounders

Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya would be the designated all-rounders in the team. They would also don the responsibility of finishing the innings. While Jadhav can play steadily and increase the scoring with the cheeky shots, Hardik can change the course of the game with his blistering shots like he did in the IPL.

Both will also serve the duties of the 5th bowler. England could offer overcast conditions at times and that’s when Hardik would come in handy. On the other hand, Jadhav, with his slinging spin, has proved to be effective not only in picking up wickets but controlling the flow of runs.

Spinners

India’s recent good form in ODI cricket has been aided by the two wrist spinners. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have done an outstanding job for the Men in Blue in the last couple of years. They pick wickets during the middle-overs that doesn’t allow the oppositions to build up for a big finish.

What makes them even more effective is that the duo isn’t afraid of going for runs. They might get hit for a couple of sixes in the over yet won’t be afraid to toss the ball up again. Wrist spin is the buzz word in ODI cricket right now and India is blessed to have 2 world-class bowlers amongst the ranks.

Also Read: India’s 15-man squad for ICC World Cup 2019

Pacers

Not just the spinners, team India has 2 reliable fast bowlers as well. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have literally made 50-over cricket their own. They have been magnificent for the team in the recent past. The duo had played a major role in taking India to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 that was also held in England.

Even though the white Kookaburra bowl doesn’t swing much these days, if there’s anyone who could exploit whatever little there is on offer, it’s Bhuvneshwar. He bowls accurate lines with the new ball and has transformed himself into a superb death bowler. Bumrah, the No.1 ODI bowler in the world, is perhaps the hardest bowler to score runs off. He is the go-to bowler for the captain as the pacer delivers wickets at any stage of the game. Bumrah is undoubtedly the best slog overs bowler in the world.

Best Playing XI for India in world cup 2019

Here is how best playing xi for India looks like

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

Also Read: Who will win the ODI World Cup 2019? Here are the top 5 contenders

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